In a recent crackdown on illegal gambling, Colombian authorities seized 1,000 items valued at approximately $200 million ($46,000).
This joint operation was led by the Attorney General's Office, the National Army's Gaula, and Coljuegos, targeting illegal gambling activities in Sabanalarga (Atlántico) and Valledupar (Cesar).
Subsequently, seven individuals were arrested for illegal gambling and money laundering.
This operation marks the third of its kind in the province within a week, following similar law enforcement actions in Antioquia and the Coffee Belt region.
Coljuegos President Marco Emilio Hincapié emphasized the importance of this operation in reducing illegal activities that deprive the health sector of resources, stating, "We have made a decisive impact on illegal activities. Just last week, we conducted control actions in five provinces, an unprecedented move in this state.
"We are following the orders of President Gustavo Petro: to strengthen the industry, combat illegal activities, and increase health resources."
It is noteworthy that all confiscated equipment will undergo administrative procedures before destruction to ensure they are not reused for illegal activities.
In Sabanalarga, a commercial establishment offering illegal gambling services was seized, including 841 items such as computers, monitors, and ticket machines. The seized equipment was valued at $114 million, with illegal gambling causing an annual tax revenue loss of $8.176 billion to the state.
Meanwhile, in Valledupar, authorities seized 159 items used for unauthorized online betting, causing an annual loss of about $8.82 billion to the health sector.
Under the current government, Coljuegos has seized over 4,500 slot machines and online betting modules, and to date, approximately 8,317 illegal items have been destroyed.
